Columbia Police Arrest Woman in North Following Fatal Shooting of 65 Year Old Man

Police have arrested 56-year-old Toni Middleton for the fatal shooting of Perry Buchanan at a Columbia apartment complex. Investigation into the motive continues.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 4:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WIS News 10

Apprehension of Suspect Following Residential Violence

The Columbia Police Department has successfully taken a suspect into custody following a violent incident that resulted in a fatality last week. Toni Middleton was arrested Monday night in North, South Carolina, marking a significant development in a case that had remained under intensive investigation. Middleton faces serious legal repercussions, including charges of murder and the possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, as authorities work to process the evidence gathered since the initial report.

Late Night Emergency Response to Colleton Street

The investigation began when patrol officers were dispatched to the Gable Oaks Apartments on Colleton Street at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Upon arrival at the scene, first responders located a male victim who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. The apartment complex, which serves as a central residential hub in the area, became the focus of forensic teams as they worked to reconstruct the timeline of the assault and identify the individual responsible for the gunfire.

Coroner Identifies Victim in Domestic Tragedy

Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford has officially released the identity of the deceased as 65-year-old Perry Buchanan. Investigators have confirmed that Buchanan was in a domestic relationship with the suspect at the time of the shooting. The loss of life has prompted an outpouring of concern from local residents regarding the safety of the complex, while the Coroner’s office continues to work alongside law enforcement to finalize the medical findings associated with the case.